Drop In Number Of Late NFL Games Hurts The NFL's Biggest Fans

In a move that may be a ratings grab, the number of 4:00 PM (ET)
games on the NFL
schedule is down 14% this season. But while it may be good for
the networks' bottom lines, it leaves the fans who dish out big
bucks for the NFL's Sunday Ticket package, with fewer options.

During week eight action yesterday, there were just two games
during the traditional late-afternoon time slot. This was the
second Sunday in a row with just two 4:00 PM games, and it is the
third time in eight weeks (another is coming in week 11). This
only happened three times in the last two seasons combined.

In total, there were will be 57 late afternoon games this season,
down from 66 a year ago, a drop of 14%. The NFL has averaged 63
4:00 PM games the last three seasons.

While this could just be a quirk in the schedule, it may also be
by design. Fewer games gives the late time slot more of a
national TV feel, which artificially increases the perception of
importance. In other words, the networks may be trying to give
the 4:00 PM window more of a primetime feel.

For those that subscribe to the NFL's popular Sunday Ticket, the
package becomes nearly meaningless after the early games, as
there is just one out-of-market game. Then again, the NFL knows
they are not going to lose the diehard fans, no matter how much
they might complain.